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The President Nana Addo Dabkwa Akufo-Addo has described as alarming and shocking, the revelation in the 2016 Auditor-General’s report that GHc5.4billion was approved as payment to contractors for no work done.

Mr. Akufo-Addo in his second State of the Nation Address to parliament on Thursday, February 8 said “The Auditor-General’s Report on MDA liabilities as of 31 December 2016, makes truly alarming reading. I make reference to the fact that a staggering amount of GH¢5.4 billion has been identified as constituting fictitious claims.

“Every day, we hear reports on our radios and televisions of dilapidated classrooms, and children who sit on floors at school.

“Just think of the difference that GH¢5.4 billion would make to the nation’s finances. That would certainly be enough to build and furnish hundreds of classrooms, and construct the Eastern Corridor roads…every citizen is affected by acts of corruption, and we should all work to tackle them”.

The president added that Government “has an obligation to treat the Auditor-General’s Report seriously, and to work to retrieve illegally acquired monies from those who would impoverish us all”.

According to Mr. Akufo-Addo there is the need for Parliament to expeditiously vet and approve the Special Prosecutor to combat corruption.

“I look forward to Parliament dealing speedily with the process of confirmation of the nominee, a person of proven professional ability, with an established record of integrity and independence of character…there is enough goodwill in the country to propel the first occupant of this position into setting a good and firm foundation for the position of the Special Prosecutor.”